3 Android 16 modifications that simply do not impress me in any respect

Abstract

Android 16 is a welcome improve, however a few of its modifications do not actually matter as a lot as Google would possibly need you to consider.
Materials 3 Expressive is extra daring, however only a new coat of paint with out the OS’s accompanying interface enhancements.
The Discover Hub’s location sharing might not be as precious as you’d suppose, and Gemini’s usefulness on watches, TVs, and AR headsets stays to be seen in apply.

Upfront, I will admit that I am on report as preferring iPhones today. My every day driver is an

iPhone 16 Pro
. However I’ve owned a number of Android telephones over time, and I nonetheless admire the platform to at the present time. There are issues that it does higher than iOS — corresponding to voice instructions — and I like the truth that it is open-source, even when {hardware} makers haven’t got a lot alternative however to license Google companies. It might be unusual to purchase an Android cellphone with out Gmail able to go, in spite of everything.

I am trying ahead to attempting gadgets with

Android 16
pre-loaded. Nevertheless, the interface impresses me as a lot as

iOS 18
did — which is to say, not very a lot. Enhancements are all the time welcome, but primarily based on what Google’s proven thus far, its newest OS nonetheless looks like a minor evolution. Let’s speak about a number of examples of what I imply.

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1

Materials 3 Expressive

A brand new coat of (physics-based) paint

Hyperlink Picture

Android 16 actually seems to be good. There are up to date dynamic colour themes, new font types, and much more interface animations, together with bounces and ripples for actions like swiping away your notifications. New aesthetics are literally one in all my favourite issues about updating any OS, since I get pleasure from personalizing my cellphone as a lot as doable — with out severe modding work, anyway.

For all of the hype round Materials 3 Expressive, it isn’t a radical leap past what you see in Android 15.

My criticism is simply that, for all of the hype round Materials 3 Expressive, it isn’t a radical leap past what you see in Android 15. If something, what issues extra are Google’s sensible interface modifications, corresponding to the power to each resize and reorder Fast Settings icons (a la iOS 18’s Management Heart), or monitor deliveries and rideshares through Dwell Updates (one other factor borrowed from Apple). A yr from now, persons are going to care way more about checking how quickly their

Uber
goes to reach than what widget colours they’ve accessible.

I might be stood corrected down the road. Generally, a minimum of, these kinds of interface modifications have a cumulative impact that may’t be conveyed by movies or screenshots. If Android 16 feels genuinely higher to make use of day-to-day on account of its visible tweaks, that may rely for one thing.

The Smart Stack on the Apple Watch Series 9 over a yellow background.

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Helpful in idea, however how about in apply?

Sharing personal location via Android 16's Find Hub. — Google

Google

As an entire, I approve of the Discover Hub, a rebrand/redesign of Android’s Discover My Units app. Considered one of its signature options is best sharing of your real-time location with different folks, in idea, serving to family and friends reunite after they get misplaced, or test in on one another’s security — say if somebody’s doing a sundown jog or coming again late from a highway journey. Sharers can select to time-limit this monitoring or go away it on indefinitely.

Satirically, I believe Discover Hub’s expanded merchandise monitoring is an even bigger deal.

I am positive some folks will profit tremendously, however that is one other characteristic copied from Apple, particularly the Discover My app. And let me say — on my iPhone, my spouse and I virtually by no means use Discover My for following one another, despite the fact that I am out on the gymnasium three nights per week, and our travels typically take us to the other aspect of North America. A cellphone name or textual content message is normally a pleasant means of updating somebody on what you are doing, and a few persons are inherently uncomfortable with sharing their exact location over the web, irrespective of any Google assurances about encryption. To essentially make the most of Discover Hub, you may additionally want the folks you are sharing with to have it, too.

Satirically, I believe Discover Hub’s expanded merchandise monitoring is an even bigger deal. Help for UWB (ultra-wideband) will make some gadgets and tag equipment less complicated to seek out, and Google is increasing its accomplice listing, for example, including the power to share Bluetooth tag knowledge with choose airways, beginning in 2026. That is one other transfer copied from Apple.

An AirTag with an iPhone 13 Pro on a wooden table.

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3

Gemini coming to extra gadgets

The place’s my Google Nest help?

Google

Gemini does belong in additional locations, significantly vehicles. Generally it is tough sufficient to decide on music or a preset vacation spot whereas driving, by no means thoughts the belongings you’d usually do in your cellphone. With Gemini,

Android Auto
(and the confusingly-named

Android Automotive
) will allow you to use your voice for duties like unearthing an tackle buried in Gmail, or finding an EV charging station that additionally has a restaurant close by. If you happen to’re bored or curious, you’ll ask questions on all the pieces from the Grand Canyon to the Spanish Inquisition.

I need to like Gemini, however I am not going to be impressed by its wider footprint till I see it in real-world conditions.

The AI assistant is coming to Put on OS, Google TV, and

Android XR
as properly, however I am skeptical of the way it’ll work on these platforms. Smartwatches typically really feel underpowered for what they’re already working, and I do not know that I belief Gemini for film and present suggestions, not to mention answering questions by displaying me YouTube movies. Even well-meaning YouTube channels typically get their information flawed.

Android XR, in the meantime, is an unknown amount, since there are no appropriate glasses or headsets accessible to the general public but. Once they do arrive, Gemini goes to should show wonderful object recognition to be helpful, and that is on high of minimizing the “hallucinations” (botched solutions) it typically gives. Google suggests utilizing Gemini on Android XR for duties like residence enchancment — however there’s some severe hazard potential if it makes errors about issues like electrical energy or plumbing.

I need to like Gemini, however I am not going to be impressed by its wider footprint till I see it in real-world conditions. And Google has but to replace any of its Nest audio system or shows with the expertise, which you’d suppose could be a pure match. It might be a less complicated means of making good residence automations, and a dialog is rather a lot simpler with out having to carry a cellphone or distant in entrance of your face.

Heck, think about your Nest Hub with the ability to let you know that it is a mailman on the door, not your buddy who’s presupposed to be dropping by.